Baseball Players Endlessly Work

BASEBALL PLAYERS ENDLESSLY WORK on being in the proper position during spring training, ensuring that someone backs up every throw. In 2001, Derek Jeter’s alert maneuver kept the New York Yankees in the playoffs.

After dropping the first two games of the best-of-five series to the Oakland A’s, the Yankees faced elimination at Network Associates Coliseum. With New York’s Mike Mussina dueling Oakland’s Barry Zito, the Yankees grabbed a 1–0 lead in the fifth on Jorge Posada’s solo home run.

In the seventh, A’s designated hitter Jeremy Giambi singled with two out. Terrence Long followed with a double into the right-field corner that Shane Spencer fielded cleanly. Meanwhile, third-base coach Ron Washington waved the lumbering Giambi home. Spencer unleashed a long throw that sailed over the outstretched gloves of both second baseman Alfonso Soriano and first baseman Tino Martinez.

But shortstop Derek Jeter alertly drifted over to the first-base line and fielded the throw on one hop. Without turning around, he flipped the ball backhanded to Posada at the plate. Since Giambi failed to slide, the catcher managed to tag the runner on his calf just before he touched the plate for the inning’s final out. Then Mariano Rivera hurled two shutout innings to preserve the 1–0 New York victory.

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POINT Not only did the game depend on Derek Jeter’s alert defensive play, the entire series turned around for the Yankees after that out. New York took game three and never looked back by winning game four 9–2 and game five 5–3.

In baseball, every player isn’t involved in every play. But by being aware of what is happening, a player can make the difference. That’s exactly what Jeter did.

Being alert also yields success in the Christian life. Hanging out in questionable places or surrounding ourselves with sinful activities with our mind turned off harms our good influence. And we may be tempted to do wrong. On the other hand, keeping our mind alert and staying self-controlled positions us to influence others for God while avoiding temptation.

GOAL! Next time you watch baseball either in person or on television, pay particular attention to defensive positions. See how the players move for every play and keep their mind in the game. Ask God to help you stay alert for him.